Trip from Modrava

I’d like to get back to those few days we spent in Šumava this summer. We were staying in a camp, going on trips and for one day we planned a trip from Modrava to our camp.

We had to go by bus just a few kilometres and then follow a marked track. When we were getting off the bus, it was already drizzling and we needed to take on our raincoats. Well, I don’t mind walking in rain, but our cameras had to stay in our bags and I regretted that so much. On the one hand I felt really annoyed and on the other I tried to persuade myself that there is no need to have everything captured. But of course, as soon as the rain stopped for a while, our cameras were out and ready.

You know what the funny part is? A few days later we were in Modrava again, the weather was fine and I had no longing for taking the photos I missed on that rainy day. The longing is stronger when something is denied, right?

The path was accompanied by a brook and there were many spots worthy of stopping. Nevertheless, when I’m looking at the photo above, I try to figure out whether I like the scene or not. The dry tree spoils the triplet, doesn’t it? And then I think it’s the way it is, death and life in one reality, the nice and ugly one next the other. Quite natural, why should everything be “damn perfect”?

I find myself taking photos of trees quite often. These are individuals but forming a marvellous composition, aren’t they?

Although the rain stopped entirely after an hour or two, dramatic clouds persisted and light was special.

May I borrow Anne Frank’s words from her Diary of a young Girl?

“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As longs as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.”

12 Comments

Very true what you say about the outdoors and nature. I like the outdoors. I can accept the pleasure of the rain if I'm prepared. Now we have to think about the natural world and help it since we have caused the upset of climate change.

This is another lovely post, Petra, with a very poignant quotation from Anne Frank. My favorite photo is the third one, with the yellow flowers growing up among the branches of the small evergreen tree.

Linda, thank you. I also like the flowers, the yellow-green combination looks nice.

As for the quotation, I wanted to find some apt quote and in a few minutes I came across this one. It was perfect and I like it very much. I have to admit that although the book is really famous, I haven’t read it. I’m going to change that. Definitely.

I think you shall let that dry tree be where it is. It is part of a scene with the twisting brook and all. And trees are fun – a friend of mind published a photography book all about trees. It took him 20 years.

Nature even heals herself, Petra, which is one of the lessons I learn from her, especially after forest fires, for instance, caused by lightning strikes. You've shown such a beautiful part of your world here. I love tree, too, and see them as alive with personalities. So many different ones….

I read "The Diary of Anne Frank" when I was much younger, but it would probably be worth another read. That was a hard time in our world's history, and not particularly enticing to read about; but we must never forget lest we repeat.